Never hazard taking part in a
quadrille, unless you know how to dance tolerably; for if you are a novice, or
but a little skilled, you would bring disorder into the midst of pleasure. Being
once engaged to take part in a dance, if the figures are not familiar, be
careful not to advance first. You can in this way govern your steps by those who
go before you. Beware, also, of taking your place in a set of dancers more
skillful than yourself. When an unpracticed dancer makes a mistake, we may
apprize him of his error; but it would be very impolite to have the air of
giving him a lesson.